Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

207 reviews

nikkilerae's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment

booksnart2023's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy

Minor: Blood and Sexual harassment

jenniferbowman's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Okay. So. Reviewing this is complicated, because throughout 90% of this book, I was very ready to rate this story 4.5/5 stars. Five stars if the ending wowed me (which I was hoping for). The majority of the book is compelling, and moves fairly quickly…for the most part, I don’t feel like any words are wasted.

HOWEVER…I was left scratching my head at the ending—from the quickly rolling pace of the climax on, I craved a surprise twist that would leave me reeling and chuckling with surprise. But…the loose ends, although tied up, did not feel complete.

When it comes to a book like this with multiple timelines, I want all of those timelines to be tied together in an inseparable way. This felt more like two separate stories that were related, BUT…I really wish they had been better connected as one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

emichalo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Murder

lisa_hin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

deestreet's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia

odcosta's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Really interesting! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Murder

nancykz's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This isn’t something I would ever pick up on my own. I don’t know why. I love to read anything and everything and despite myself knowing this, I am certain I’ve had passed over it. 

Caroline and James are about to enjoy two weeks in London as a celebration of their tenth wedding anniversary when Caroline sees a text that unravels their marriage. Taking her best friend’s advice, Caroline goes on the trip solo to have the space she needs to figure things out. 

Told along two timelines, Caroline is intrigued by a glass vial etched with a bear she finds while mudlarking — a complete whim brought her to join a group. As she traces back the origin and story of the vial in real time, we move through the vials owners in the past. 

Well written and executed. The last chapter could have been removed — felt like it was there for readers who may have missed the point. I like to be trusted as a reader. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Suicide

Personally I thought the sensitive/triggering things were handled gently. That’s not to say others’ reactions won’t be different.

leirarae's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Minor: Child death, Suicide, and Sexual harassment

grace33's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Murder

Moderate: Death and Suicide

Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault